The challenge

PropCare were asked by the Warrington & Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to provide a collaborative review of the capital scheme, to identify good practise and areas where further efficiencies could be gained when undertaking similar schemes in the future.

PropCare had not been involved in the delivery of the scheme and provided a fresh pair of eyes on the project. PropCare provided specialist project management, finance and commercial resource to ensure a rounded review and analysis was provided.

The solution

PropCare worked closely with all stakeholders and completed a detailed due diligence exercise including onsite inspections and desktop analysis of condition data and maintenance records.

PropCare provided a detailed report assessing the projected capital / maintenance costs at year 1 and years 3 to 9, providing detailed recommendations for additions to existing lifecycle and capital assumptions.

To achieve its analysis PropCare provided contractual, commercial, financial and specialist estates acumen; completing a detailed review and cross reference of a wide suite of estates documentation including:

• Land transfer and land registry plans
• Six facet Surveys
• Asset Condition and Verification Reports
• Maintenance Records
• Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals

The outcome

PropCare met the Warrington & Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Estates and Capital leads to discuss and review each stage of the project. To gain a clear understanding of the processes followed from end to end, PropCare produced a detailed timeline capturing elements such as:

• Development of budget cost
• Internal Governance Process
• Tender process
• Appointment of key roles, including designers, project managers, cost advisors and principal designer.
• RIBA Stage 2
• Professional surveys
• Formal / final costing
• Development of a project programme
• Project Risk Register
• Completion and sign off

A detailed review of the stages followed providing for open and engaging discussion between PropCare and the Warrington & Halton Trust leads that resulted in a number of best practise and additional efficiency recommendations being identified, these included items such as:

• Exploration of advanced funding for the design of a project leading to construction progressing in the following year’s capital plan.
• Exploration of condensing project timelines to provide to provide operational and financial efficiencies.
• Exploration of advantages provided by the introduction of additional project gateways to strengthen governance during the scheme.

The outcome

The exercise provided a fresh perspective to a complex project, providing a sounding board to discuss all aspects of the scheme, acknowledge best practice delivered and generate areas for future efficiencies.

Project highlights

Collaborative working between local foundation Trusts to identify and share best practise and efficiency opportunities.

Establishing supportive networks and providing a service as a ‘critical friend’, supporting collaboration and shared learning.